The studio is adapting Card's popular novel into a movie this fall, and potential viewers have threatened to boycott the movie as a call to action against Card's views on gay marriage.

The controversy prompted Card to release a statement last week, in which he said that the futuristic "Ender's Game" "has nothing to do with political issues that did not exist when the book was written in 1984."

"Now it will be interesting to see whether the victorious proponents of gay marriage will show tolerance toward those who disagreed with them when the issue was still in dispute," Card concluded.

Lionsgate, meanwhile, isn't interested in waiting around. In a statement to Entertainment Weekly, the studio distanced itself from Card's stance.

“As proud longtime supporters of the LGBT community, champions of films ranging from 'Gods and Monsters' to 'The Perks of Being A Wallflower,' and a company that is proud to have recognized same-sex unions and domestic partnerships within its employee benefits policies for many years, we obviously do not agree with the personal views of Orson Scott Card and those of the National Organization for Marriage," Lionsgate said.

"However, they are completely irrelevant to a discussion of "Ender's Game." The simple fact is that neither the underlying book nor the film itself reflect these views in any way, shape or form. ... Lionsgate will continue its longstanding commitment to the LGBT community by exploring new ways we can support LGBT causes and, as part of this ongoing process, will host a benefit premiere for 'Ender's Game.'"

soundoff(55 Responses)

It might have made sense for the article to at least touch on the controversy, which is central to the article, within the article, so that we who are not familiar with the 'controversy', could understand the need for the disclaimers.

And Lionsgate is filled with fools for ever doing business with him, and not expecting this to happen.

If his paycheck were not on the line, Card would still be spewing his hate.

Personally....i thought the book was REALLY BAD. If you read it, you can easily see how he expanded it from it's original version to the bloated hodge-podge-plot. And the idiotic ending...that in the final 'game'....Ender was actually fighting the aliens, and not simulating the fight....was a very poor attempt at a Matheson-esque ending.

Card is still spewing hate. He retains his position on the board of directors for NOM, an organization routinely criticized by the SPLC for it's anti-gay propaganda efforts. Money Card derives from this film will certainly be used to fund legislation deepening existing discrimination against LGBT people. Card didn't just sell screenplay rights to Ender's Game to Lionsgate, he is a co-producer of the film. Whatever message the movie may present, the profits from it will be used to pay for attacks on the rights of lesbians and gays. This is still an issue, and a benefit gala by Lionsgate doesn't offset it, although that is a nice gesture on their part.

the last person I would use as an example in relationships is you....I can assure you of that...I would never ever ever
follow what you do in a marriage...I have positive people in my life that know what they are doing...screaming at him 24 hours and day belittling him in front of everyone ...you may deserve it